Jeremy Guscott reveals his 'main problem' with Marcus Smith

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Jeremy Guscott believes the reasoning behind that call is clear.

“The main issue is that where Fin Smith and George Ford are similar in terms of being steady and consistent, by comparison Marcus is a maverick,” Guscott wrote in his regular column for The Rugby Paper.

“And because of that tendency, he has to think more about how he plays for England.

“Marcus has a big input into the Quins game-plan, but unless England have suddenly become brilliant at adapting, they will not want him to go off script.

“In simple terms, Marcus Smith has to adapt to England rather than expect the team — and coaches — to adapt to him.”

It underlines the ongoing dilemma for Smith at international level: his natural flair and unpredictability can light up a game, but England’s current structure demands control and consistency above all else.

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 41 caps)

14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps)

13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 22 caps)

12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)

11. Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby, 11 caps) 

10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 105 caps) – vice-captain 

9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 27 caps)

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 75 caps) – vice-captain

2. Jamie George (Saracens, 105 caps) – captain

3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)

4. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)

5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 30 caps)

6. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)

7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)

8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 46 caps)

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 53 caps)

17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 10 caps)

18. Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)  

19. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 97 caps) 

20. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 65 caps)

21. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)

22. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 14 caps)

23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 46 caps)